Caring about Composting!
Posted by Joshua Bartosiewicz-
- Looking at mature compost.
-
- Finding worms and worm eggs in the mature compost.
-
- WORMS!
-
- Understanding the parts of a compost pile.
-
- Compost Master breaks down the essentials for a healthy compost pile.
-
- Learning about the different ingredients that make up a compost pile.
-
- The compost pile dance!
-
- Mixing up the pile more in the dance!
-
- Checking out the tomato and squash plants that sprouted in the compost pile.
-
- Showing off some tools we’ll be using to mix up the pile.
-
- Checking out the start of a new compost pile.
This year, every Monday Unquowa 8th graders are fortunate enough to learn and take part in the schools composting program. As of 2022, Unquowa has teamed up with Park City Composting, which is a composting organization based out of Bridgeport, CT. The school is working hand-in-hand with Tommy (the composting Master from Park City Composting) to educate our students on composting, sustainable waste practices, and gardening methods. In these weekly environmentally themed classes, students are able to have a hands-on experience in which they’ll gain an understanding on how to properly compost as well as learn about its benefits; not only is it important for people but the environment too! In our first visit, the students learned about the different materials thats make up a compost pile (food waste, woodchips, leaves, wood shavings) and they were able to check out some soil samples of mature compost from last year’s compost pile. Unquowa and the students are very eager to explore deeper into the realm of composting this year! ROT ON!
Riding the Waves to Start the Year!
Posted by Lloyd Mitchell
At the start of each school year for the last 12 years, 7th and 8th grade students venture up to Charlemont, Mass. for the annual whitewater rafting trip. After gearing up and heading up river, students are divided into teams to raft back down the river with the aid of a river guide. Navigating the river through rocks, learning to work together and riding class I, II and III rapids is a great adventure for all. Of course, this team building experience wouldn’t be complete without the trip conclusion which features a bucket war where each team soaks the other with buckets of water. Refreshing after a long day on the river!
Strengthening Our Bond in 5th
Posted by Sarah Raggio
Would you choose Vanilla or Chocolate? Fiction or Nonfiction? Money or Fame? Read the Book or Watch the Movie? There is no right or wrong answer, it’s just your preference. A quick game of “This or That” was such a fun way to connect with our classmates in literature class today. A simple choice, a toss of the yarn, and a wrap around your wrist confirmed which classmates agreed with your choice. In the end, we learned that we have shared preferences with many of our classmates and the bond in our 5th Grade Community is strong.
Summer Deep Play for Kids Session!
Posted by Faith Barbuto
This summer I was excited to bring some of the fun new techniques I learned about Deep Play for Kids to my beloved PK students and some new friends too. Each class we explored mindfulness, movement, and breathing techniques. Focusing on a different theme each class, we used all of our senses to notice the world around us and savor each moment. Using play as a foundation for discovery we laughed our way through movement games, dance parties and imaginary journeys. Each class incorporates high energy activities and calming, centering practices. Look out for classes for Early Childhood students this fall.
Cars!
Posted by Joey Casey
PreK through 3rd grade were busy this spring making and racing cars. Students built their own vehicles out of cardboard, straws, metal axles and tires with a cup on top. Some of the classes even made 3D printed cups! In rainbow colors, no less. After construction of the cars were complete, the experiments began. Classes raced their cars and we talked about gravity, force, and friction. To take our experiments to the next level, we added some weight to the cars to see if it changed the speed. Students could pick from marbles or cotton balls to add weight. We discussed which was heavier, and why…hint: it may have something to do with gravity! While the student-called results were a mix, the experiment was a fun success.
Q.U.I.V.E.R.
Posted by Wendy Kerr
Our culminating project for the mindful, social and emotional tools we learned this year in Third Grade is called Q.U.I.V.E.R. Normally, we associate tools with things like hammers, nails, wrenches, etc. However, these tools are more subtle and refined but no less powerful. So rather than a tool box, students created a quiver to hold these lifelong tools and practices. Each arrow represents a certain skill or concept that can be pulled from one’s quiver depending on what type of support they need. In fact, knowing which tool will be most beneficial for various situations, is in fact a skill in and of itself. The acronym means:
Quieting- the mind through breath work and awareness training
Understanding- our emotions as interior weather, information and guidance rather than something to be pushed down and worked against
Inquiry- What else might be true? Making space in our hearts to lead with curiosity rather than fear…learning how to practice active listening.
Visualization- bringing awareness to the body/mind and envisioning as a way to regulate the nervous system
Embodiment- truly inhabiting our body to find presence in the here and now
Recover- when there are the inevitable setbacks, certain tools help us to reflect and course correct. Journaling, drawing, and using our hands to create are some powerful ways to do so.
Students had fun creating their quivers and having a representation for all the tools they learned this year!
